Dubai: The United Arab Emirates has announced a landmark decision to restrict social media access for children under the age of 15, becoming the first Arab nation to introduce a nationwide minimum age requirement for social media use. The new regulation is aimed at strengthening online safety for young people and protecting them from harmful digital content and online risks.
The decision was approved by the UAE Cabinet and is part of a broader effort to create a safer digital environment for children and teenagers. Under the new rules, children below the age of 15 will not be allowed to create or operate personal social media accounts. They will also be restricted from posting content, joining public groups, commenting on posts, sharing material, or engaging in public interactions on social networking platforms.
Authorities said the move comes in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on children. Officials pointed to issues such as cyberbullying, online harassment, exposure to inappropriate content, privacy violations, online scams, and the effects of excessive screen time on mental and emotional wellbeing.
A key part of the new regulation focuses on age verification. Social media companies will be required to introduce stronger systems to confirm the age of users. Simply entering a date of birth will no longer be considered sufficient. Platforms will need to use more reliable verification methods and identify accounts that belong to children below the legal age limit.
The government has also directed social media companies to remove or disable accounts found to be operated by underage users. Technology firms will be given a transition period to implement the required measures and ensure compliance with the new law.
Teenagers aged 15 and 16 will still be allowed to access social media platforms, but with additional protections. These measures include parental control tools, enhanced privacy settings, restrictions on contact from unknown users, and safeguards designed to reduce exposure to harmful or inappropriate content.
Officials say the regulation is intended to strike a balance between allowing young people to benefit from digital technology while also protecting them from its potential dangers. The UAE government has increasingly focused on digital wellbeing in recent years as internet use among children and teenagers continues to rise.
The move places the UAE among a growing number of countries seeking stricter regulation of children's access to social media. Governments around the world have been debating how best to address concerns about the impact of online platforms on young users.
Australia recently introduced one of the world's toughest social media restrictions by setting a minimum age of 16 for access to certain platforms. Several European countries, including France, Spain, Norway and Denmark, have also discussed or implemented measures aimed at strengthening protections for minors online. Similar proposals are being considered in parts of Asia as governments respond to increasing concerns from parents, educators and child welfare experts.
Digital safety advocates have largely welcomed the UAE's decision, arguing that stronger age verification and parental oversight can help reduce the risks faced by children online. However, some technology experts have raised questions about how social media companies will enforce the rules and whether age verification systems can be implemented without creating privacy concerns.
The social media age restriction is part of a wider effort by the UAE to tighten regulation of online activity. Earlier this year, authorities introduced new rules governing digital advertising and content creation, requiring influencers and online creators to obtain permits for certain commercial activities.
With the latest regulation, the UAE has taken a significant step in reshaping how young people interact with social media. As technology companies prepare to comply with the new requirements, the policy is expected to become an important test case for other countries considering similar restrictions on children's access to online platforms.